Johannesburg - Offering his condolences to the family of legendary musician Hugh Masekela, President Jacob Zuma said the nation would mourn a man who "kept the torch of freedom alive".
"It is an immeasurable loss to the music industry and to the country at large. His contribution to the struggle for liberation will never be forgotten," Zuma said.
Masekela, known as the "father of South African jazz" who used
his music in the fight against apartheid, has died from prostate
cancer, his family said on Tuesday. He was 78.
In a career spanning more than five decades, Masekela gained
international recognition with his distinctive Afro-Jazz sound
and hits such as "Soweto Blues", which served as one of the
soundtracks to the anti-apartheid movement.
Following the end of apartheid, he opened the 2010
Fifa Soccer World Cup Kick-Off Concert and performed at the
event's opening ceremony in Johannesburg's Soccer City stadium.
"Hugh’s global and activist contribution to and
participation in the areas of music, theatre, and the arts in
general is contained in the minds and memory of millions," a
statement on behalf of the Masekela family said.
"Rest in power beloved, you are forever in our hearts."
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His son, Sal, recalled memories of being dragged around the
jazz clubs of Manhattan by his father aged just five.
"He would steal the hearts and souls of innocents with a
musical storytelling all his own," Sal posted on his Facebook
page.
"It was these moments and his choosing to take me around the
globe any chance he got, that would come to shape my entire
world view."
Masekela's song "Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)",
written while he was in living in exile, called for the release
of the-then imprisoned Mandela and was banned by the apartheid
regime.
Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa tweeted: "A baobab
tree has fallen, the nation has lost a one of a kind."
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After honing his craft as a teenager, Masekela left South
Africa aged 21 to begin three decades in exile.
His global appeal hit new heights in 1968 when his
instrumental single "Grazin' in the Grass" went to number one in
the U.S. charts.
As well as close friendships with jazz legends like Miles
Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Mingus, Masekela also recorded
with the Byrds and performed alongside stars such as Janis
Joplin, Otis Redding and Jimi Hendrix at the famed 1967 Monterey
Pop Festival.
Still performing 50 years on, he toured Europe in 2012 with
Paul Simon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his classic
album "Graceland" in an African musical extravaganza.
He was married to singer and activist Miriam Makeba, known
as "Mama Africa", from 1964 to 1966.
British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a tweet
that Masekela was "a titan of jazz and of the anti-apartheid
struggle".
"His courage, words and music inspired me, were heard across
the world, and strengthened the resolve of those fighting for
justice in South Africa."